South Sudan Crisis ECHO FACTSHEET

South Sudan crisis ECHO FACTSHEET

Facts & Figures:

About 4.9 million severely food insecure shortage & 1 million on the brink of starvation (IPC Jan 2017)

250 000 children are severely malnourished

Since December 2013: 1.9 million people internally displaced including 221 279 at UN Mission compounds (OCHA, UNMISS 6 March) 1.7 million South Sudanese refugees in People fleeing violence and starvation in Unity state. ©EU/Anouk Delafortrie neighbouring countries (UNHCR 31 Mar) Key messages 79 aid workers killed by warring parties (UNOCHA)  The man-made crisis in South Sudan has reached alarming proportions. Fighting, violations of international humanitarian Number of refugees from neighbouring law, sexual violence and grave human rights abuses continue countries in South unabated. Civilians are targeted by all armed forces, often with Sudan: 263 214 ethnic intent. (UNHCR 31 Jan)  In February 2017, the UN declared famine in two counties of

European Commission South Sudan where 100 000 people are facing famine and one humanitarian million are on the brink of starvation. 4.9 million people are already assistance : suffering severe food insecurity and 47% of the population is - more than €423 expected to be severely food insecure in July, at the peak of the lean million since season. 60% of counties have acute malnutrition rates at or above December 2013 the 15% emergency threshold. - In 2017: €182  After the UN declared famine, the EU stepped up its help: EU million including €70 humanitarian aid for the South Sudan crises so far has reached €142 million for million in 2017, a sizable amount of which goes to life-saving food neighbouring countries assistance. The EU is among the largest donors of humanitarian aid to the South Sudan crisis

 The fall-out of the South Sudan crisis on the region is massive.

European Commission – Civil More than 1.7 million refugees have sought protection in Protection and Humanitarian neighbouring countries, dramatically increasing pressure on Aid Operations resources and living conditions in host countries. About 1.9 million B -1049 Brussels, Belgium people are displaced within South Sudan, including 221 279 people Tel.: (+32 2) 295 44 00 who have taken refuge at UN military bases. Fax: (+32 2) 295 45 72 email:  The government of Sudan has opened a second humanitarian [email protected] corridor from El Obeid in central Sudan to Bentiu in Unity Website: state to enable timely food assistance to famine hit areas in Unity http://ec.europa.eu/echo before the rainy season. With the start of the rainy season it is crucial to expand such cross-border access.

* All the latest ECHO  Restrictions and violence continue to obstruct humanitarian Factsheets: aid. Since the beginning of the conflict, 79 humanitarian workers bit.ly/echo-fs have been killed, of which 12 since the beginning of 2017. Safe and unhindered access to populations in need must be granted.

ECHO Factsheet – South Sudan – April 2017

Humanitarian situation and needs

As the youngest and one of the least developed countries in the world, South Sudan suffers from decades of conflict and neglect, corruption and mismanagement. Despite a 2015 peace agreement, the conflict which was initially confined to 3 states has gradually expanded across the country. Extreme violence coupled with an economic crisis and worsening food insecurity has led to a crisis of unprecedented proportions. Extreme levels of food insecurity are expected across South Sudan through the first half of 2017. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) estimates that 5.5 million people will be severely food insecure by July. 100 000 people are about to succumb to famine in two counties of Unity state, according to the UN. In the Greater Equatoria region, traditionally considered the country’s bread basket, violence has disrupted food supply routes and an estimated 50% of all harvests have been lost in the conflict-affected areas. This man-made humanitarian disaster has left at least 1.9 million people internally displaced, mostly due to widespread violence against civilians. More than 221 000 people have taken refuge in overcrowded protection-of-civilian (PoC) sites at 6 UN bases, and a staggering 1.7 million South Sudanese have taken refuge in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. More than 818 000 South Sudanese are now being hosted in Uganda where authorities are trying to keep up with the mass influx by identifying new settlements for the refugees. Every day, on average 2 000 refugees continue to cross into Uganda. The South Sudanese crisis could have a destabilising effect on the wider region, parts of which are experiencing severe drought and food shortages after consecutive failed rainy seasons. The health care sector is in dire straits. Since December 2013, 106 health facilities have been closed, while many others have been looted or destroyed. With more than 2 million cases and 558 deaths, malaria was the leading cause of death and illness in 2016. South Sudan also continues to experience its longest cholera outbreak in recent years, with 5 780 cases including 143 deaths since June 2016. There were also numerous measles outbreak. The disease is particularly life-threatening for children under the age of five, especially when malnourished. The capacity of the health system to deliver effective services pales in comparison to the magnitude of needs. It depends nearly entirely on humanitarian assistance, which is subject to funding and access constraints. Humanitarian aid is delivered in extremely challenging circumstances, when and where possible. Violence, harassment and intimidation against humanitarian workers have already resulted in the death of 79 aid workers since December 2013 and continue to hamper the work of organisations. Moreover, humanitarian workers are faced with seizure of their assets, illegal obstructions and efforts to tax and divert relief aid. The recent fighting has provided a cover for the widespread and systematic looting by all armed forces.

The European Union's Humanitarian Response

Following an announcement of further funding in February 2017, the European Commission has, to date, made more than €423 million available to respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan since fighting erupted in December 2013. So far for 2017, €182 million have been mobilised to deal with the humanitarian consequences of the crisis, including €112 million for partners in South Sudan itself, and €70 million to address the refugee crisis in neighbouring countries Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan. These EU humanitarian funds support food assistance, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions, education as well as shelter and protection for the most vulnerable populations. Support is provided to reduce the incidence of malaria and to respond to an increase in measles cases and epidemics such as cholera and Hepatitis E.

*All the latest ECHO Factsheets: bit.ly/echo-fs ECHO Factsheet – South Sudan – April 2017 - Page 2 /3

A team of European Commission humanitarian experts is permanently based in the country. They liaise with partner organisations, coordinate response efforts with both EU and non-EU donors, and closely monitor developments as well as the efficient use of EU humanitarian funds. Examples of EU funded projects

Health and nutrition South Sudan has some of the worst health and nutrition indicators in the world. Access to quality healthcare is a challenge due to low government expenditure, underdevelopment, lack of skilled health personnel and the inaccessibility of many areas. Routine immunisation is very weak and measles outbreaks have been confirmed in 12 counties since January 2016. The European Commission funds field hospitals, as well as health and feeding centres.

Water and sanitation Before the conflict, limited access to clean water and sanitation services was already a major cause of illness and deaths. With people uprooted from their homes, living either in the bush or in overcrowded camps, providing safe water has become an even bigger challenge. By supporting emergency preparedness and response activities, the European Commission ensures that drinking water and sanitation facilities are available in order to reduce water- borne diseases such as cholera. © EU/ECHO

Food assistance To address food insecurity in South Sudan, the European Commission supports the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in providing life-saving assistance to the internally displaced. In the first three months of 2016, WFP delivered more than 97 000 metric tons of food, sufficient for a full ration for nearly 1 million people. Children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers were also given supplementary feeding to prevent them from becoming malnourished. WFP, with European © WFP Commission support, is exploring the feasibility to expand cash based assistance in urban areas where markets exits.

Education in Emergencies © WFP Under the EU Education in Emergencies initiative, the European Commission is providing €4.2 million to six relief

agencies in their efforts to provide education and protection for children aged five to 17. Particular attention is given to those who have been deprived of education due to conflict and displacement.

*All the latest ECHO Factsheets: bit.ly/echo-fs ECHO Factsheet – South Sudan – February 2017 - Page 3 /3